Anna Austin, EVP, Corporate Communications (314) 523-8354 Ian Chadsey, Manager, Investor Relations (905) 238-3904 Email: investor.relations@tlcvision.com
TLCVisionAchieves Record Profitability of
$0.61 per share in 2004
St. Louis, Missouri, March 7, 2005: TLC Vision Corporation (NASDAQ:TLCV; TSX:TLC), North America’s premier eye care services company, today announced its financial results for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2004. All dollar amounts are expressed in U.S. currency and results are reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) unless otherwise noted.
2004 Highlights
•
Revenues improved 24% year-over-year, to $242.2 million
•
Net income increased $53.1 million this year and generated EPS of $0.61 compared to a loss of ($0.15) per share in 2003
o2004 includes a favorable impact from OccuLogix IPO participation
•
Cash position rose 179%, year-over-year, to $84.5 million
•
$144 million after consolidating OccuLogix’s cash balance of $60 million
Revenue
Revenues for the 4th quarter and the year increased as a result of higher refractive procedure volumes, growing custom mix and continued strong performance from the other healthcare services segment.
Full year total revenues for 2004 increased 24% to $242.2 million from $195.7 million in 2003. Total revenues for the 4th quarter 2004 rose 15% to $55.7 million compared to $48.5 million for the same period a year ago.
For the full year, refractive revenues were up 21% to $177.4 million. Refractive revenues for the 4th quarter 2004 increased 13% to $39.2 million compared to $34.7 million in 2003.
Other healthcare revenues continued to demonstrate steady growth of 19% for the 4th quarter year-over-year comparisons and an increase of 31% for the full year. This was led by ambulatory surgery center (ASC) business revenues which increased 84% over 2003 levels, due to additional investments in surgery centers combined with higher surgical volume. Overall, revenues from other healthcare services generated 27% of total net revenues compared to 25% in the 2003 twelve-month period.
1
Earnings
TLCVisionexperienced record earnings for the quarter and the year which is attributable to refractive and cataract procedure volume increases, higher gross margins and the contribution from the Company’s participation in the initial public offering of OccuLogix Inc. in December 2004.
Net income increased $53.1 million for the year to realize $43.7 million or $0.61 per share. For the same twelve month period in 2003, TLCVisionrecorded a net loss of ($9.4 million) or ($0.15) per share. Net income rose $29 million in the 4th quarter to achieve $26.1 million or $0.36 per share. TLCVisionreported a net loss of ($2.9 million) or ($0.04) per share for the same period a year ago. Without the impact from our age-related macular degeneration (AMD) business segment, earnings per share reached $0.29 for the year compared to a loss of ($0.11) for 2003, and $0.02 for the 4th quarter compared to a loss of ($0.03) for the same period last year.
“This has been an outstanding year for the Company as we achieved record earning results and all of our business segments grew at an impressive rate,” commented Jim Wachtman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “TLCVisionis now well positioned to grow the business for the long term with strong financials, extensive geographic coverage and a disciplined operating system.”
Other Refractive Operating Metrics
Volume:The 4th quarter refractive procedure volumes from the same store centers business increased 12.6% year-over-year, which out-performed the estimated industry average of 11.5%. Total paid laser procedures increased to 42,200 compared to 38,600 in the same period a year ago. Overall procedures grew 9.3% and access procedures were up by 5.2%. The procedure volume mix in Q4-04 was 60% centers and 40% access.
For the full year, 196,000 refractive procedures were performed, which is 11.5% higher than the 2003 results. The centers business procedure volume grew 18.3% for the year, on a same store basis, and out-performed the industry average of 16.7%.
CustomLASIK:Higher pricing and gross margins associated with CustomLASIK procedures continue to support TLCVision’sstrong operating performance. CustomLASIK procedures represented approximately 58% of Q4-04 center volumes, up from 55% in the prior quarter and 43% in the same period in 2003.
Margins:Refractive gross profit margins, for 2004, increased 5.6% to 29.4% due to higher refractive volume and improved custom and centers mix. Refractive margins, in the 4th quarter, increased 3.6% to 23.3%.
Cash
The Company ended the twelve-month period in a strong financial position with cash and short-term investments totaling $84.5 million on December 31, 2004, 179% higher than the level in 2003. With consolidation of OccuLogix’s cash position, TLCVision’scash balance totaled $144.5 million.
Operating cash flow per share, fully diluted, for the full year increased significantly to $0.50 compared to $0.07 in 2003. For the 4th quarter, operating cash flow per share rose 212% to $0.09 from $0.03 in the same prior year period.
Q1 2005 Financial Outlook
For Q1-05, based on preliminary financial analysis, the Company expects to report net earnings per fully diluted share in an approximate range of $0.13-$0.15, excluding the impact of the AMD business. The Company expects operating cash flow per share to be in the range of $0.14-$0.16. Actual Q1-05 results could vary and will be announced in early May.
Full Year 2005 Operating Metrics
For full year 2005, the Company expects to achieve the following growth trends and target ranges, before considering the impact of the AMD business:
•
Refractive Procedure Growth:
•
Industry: 6.2%-8.5%
•
Centers: 8-10%
•
Access: flat to low single digits
•
Refractive Seasonality:Follows historical trends, Q1 is highest volume and decreases each sequential quarter
•
Custom:65-70% in Centers business by end of 2005
•
Revenue Growth in Other Heathcare Services:20% to 25%
•
Operating Expenses:$3.5-$4.0 million additional spend, due principally to additional marketing, staffing and $1.4 million of stock option expense in the last half of 2005
•
Operating Cash Flow:Continued cash generation well in excess of earnings
Conference Call
TLCVisionis pleased to invite all interested parties to participate in a conference call during which these results will be discussed. The call will be held today, March 7, at 5:15 p.m. Eastern Time at1-800-443-6324. The call will also be broadcast live and archived on the Company’s web site atwww.tlcv.com under the “Webcasts” link in the Investor Relations section. In addition, the live web cast will be available at various other popular portals and financial web sites.
AboutTLCVision
TLCVisionis North America’s premier eye care services company, providing eye doctors with the tools and technologies needed to deliver high-quality care. We maintain leading positions in Refractive, Cataract and Optometric Services markets, plus the AMD market through our significant ownership in OccuLogix, Inc (NASDAQ: RHEO, TSX: RHE). The key drivers of TLCVision‘s strategy are our affiliated network of over 13,000 eye doctors, proven corporate and consumer marketing and education programs, and access to state of the art clinical technologies. We are supported by strong financial performance, a culture of operational excellence and an experienced management team.. The Company’s common shares trade on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol ‘TLCV’ and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ‘TLC’. More information about the Company can be found on the TLCVisionweb site at www.tlcv.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which statements can be identified by the use of forward looking terminology, such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, ”intend”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “predict”, “plans” or “continue” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology referring to future events or results. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, including the timing of expenditures, effects of competition, changes to pricing, acquisitions and expansion opportunities, any of which could cause actual results to vary materially from current results or TLCVision’s anticipated future results. See the Company’s reports filed with the Canadian Securities Regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time for cautionary statements identifying important factors with respect to such forward looking statements, including certain risks and uncertainties, that could cause actual results to differ materially from results referred to in forward looking statements. TLCVisionassumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release.
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2
TLC VISION CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (In thousands except per share amounts)
THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2004
2003
2004
2003
Revenues {r}
Refractive {r}
Centers
$
30,563
$
27,960
136,730
$
110,052
Access
8,676
6,703
40,659
36,140
Other healthcare services
16,476
13,881
64,806
49,488
Total revenues
55,715
48,544
242,195
195,680
Cost of revenues {r}
Refractive {r}
Centers
23,438
22,627
96,388
86,045
Access
6,646
5,223
28,863
25,424
Other healthcare services
10,751
8,654
40,435
31,836
Total cost of revenues
40,835
36,504
165,686
143,305
Gross margin
14,880
12,040
76,509
52,375
General and administrative
9,675
7,333
33,128
31,688
Marketing
3,706
3,819
13,385
14,094
Amortization of intangibles
1,013
1,670
4,098
6,685
Research and development
—
623
849
1,598
Adjustment to the fair value of investments and long-term receivables
—
11
(1,206
)
(206
)
Restructuring and other charges
—
320
2,755
2,040
14,394
13,776
53,009
55,899
Operating income (loss)
486
(1,736
)
23,500
(3,524
)
Other income and (expense):
Other income, net
26,078
29
26,367
669
Interest expense, net
198
(278
)
(663
)
(1,364
)
Minority interests
(951
)
(1,060
)
(6,953
)
(4,672
)
Earnings from equity investments
490
—
2,057
—
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
26,301
(3,045
)
44,308
(8,891
)
Income tax expense
(206
)
119
(600
)
(508
)
Net income (loss)
$
26,095
$
(2,926
)
$
43,708
$
(9,399
)
Earnings (loss) per share — diluted
$
0.36
$
0.04
$
0.61
$
(0.15
)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — diluted
71,846
66,046
71,088
64,413
COMPONENTS OF NET INCOME:
Consolidated, as reported
$
26,095
$
(2,926
)
$
43,708
$
(9,399
)
Gain from Occulogix IPO
25,792
—
25,792
—
AMD business excluding IPO gain
(783
)
(778
)
(2,592
)
(2,071
)
Net income before AMD
$
1,086
$
(2,148
)
$
20,508
$
(7,328
)
EPS BEFORE AMD – DILUTED
$
0.02
$
(0.03
)
$
0.29
$
(0.11
)
3
TLC VISION CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands)
DECEMBER 31,
2004
2003
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
144,450
$
29,580
Short-term investments
—
748
Accounts receivable
17,443
15,617
Prepaid expenses, inventory and other
13,555
11,646
Total current assets
175,448
57,591
Restricted cash
932
1,376
Investments and other assets
10,482
3,102
Goodwill
53,774
48,829
Other intangible assets
18,140
22,959
Fixed assets
46,465
56,891
Total assets
$
305,241
$
190,748
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
8,716
$
10,627
Accrued liabilities
27,139
25,811
Current maturities of long-term debt
8,664
10,285
Total current liabilities
44,519
46,723
Other long-term liabilities
2,722
2,607
Long-term debt, less current maturities
9,991
19,242
Minority interests
37,222
10,907
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, no par value; unlimited number authorized
458,959
397,878
Option and warrant equity
2,872
8,143
Accumulated deficit
(251,044
)
(294,752
)
Total stockholders’ equity
210,787
111,269
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
305,241
$
190,748
4
TLC VISION CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
2004
2003
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)
$
43,708
$
(9,399
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating
activities:
Depreciation and amortization
17,681
22,593
Write-off of investment in research and development arrangements
849
1,598
Minority interests
6,953
4,672
Gain on sale of subsidiary stock
(25,792
)
—
Gain on sale of interest in subsidiary
(1,143
)
—
Earnings from equity investments
(2,057
)
—
Loss (gain) on sale of fixed assets
839
(484
)
Non-cash compensation expense
484
125
Adjustment to the fair value of investments and long-term receivables and impairment of fixed assets
(1,206
)
(206
)
Non-cash restructuring and other costs
—
677
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions
Accounts receivable
(1,449
)
(489
)
Prepaid expenses, inventory and other current assets
(1,535
)
(964
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(1,706
)
(13,831
)
Cash from operating activities
35,626
4,292
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of fixed assets
(5,457
)
(4,433
)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
1,565
578
Proceeds from divestitures of investments and subsidiaries, net of cash
729
221
Distributions and loan payments received from equity investments
2,518
—
Investment in research and development arrangements
(849
)
(1,598
)
Acquisitions and investments, net of cash acquired
(10,067
)
(8,015
)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments
313
809
Other
60
(229
)
Cash from investing activities
(11,188
)
(12,667
)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Restricted cash movement
444
2,599
Proceeds from debt financing
—
3,450
Principal payments of debt financing and capital leases
(13,669
)
(8,018
)
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary stock, net
25,792
—
Distributions to minority interests
(7,216
)
(4,901
)
Proceeds from issuance of subsidiary stock, net and cash acquired upon reorganization
59,850
—
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
25,231
8,744
Cash from financing activities
90,432
1,874
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the period
114,870
(6,501
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
29,580
36,081
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
144,450
$
29,580
COMPONENTS OF OPERATING CASH FLOW:
Consolidated, as reported
$
35,626
$
4,292
AMD Business
(2,523
)
(2,024
)
Operating cash flow before AMD
$
38,149
$
6,316
5
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